naoko horibe architect’s office: house in takatsuki

‘house in takatsuki’ by naoko horibe architect’s office in osaka, japan all images courtesy of naoko horibe architect’s office image © hiroyuki hirai

japanese firm naoko horibe architect’s office has shared with us images of ‘house in takatsuki’, a two-storey private dwelling for a couple and their child in osaka, japan. situated in a crowded residential district of the city, the design pivots around a central courtyard that maintains a sense of communication with the outdoors while limiting views of the street.

street view image © hiroyuki hirai

read as a solid volume from the outside, the house exhibits a closed expression towards the street. corrugated black panels wrap around the form save for a semi-transparent window which lends views of the interior courtyard within. a cherry blossom tree, which can be observed from the street and the alley, serves as the focal point of the outdoor space.

from the back image © hiroyuki hirai

integrating elements of the courtyard with the interior, the majority of the programs – both public and private – are situated adjacent to the enclosed outdoor space. the living and dining space benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing which overlooks the tree below. an elevated terrace constructed out of slats of wood serve as a way of extending the interior over the garden when the space is needed.

facade finish image © hiroyuki hirai

(left) gate closed (right) gate open image © hiroyuki hirai

courtyard image © hiroyuki hirai

from elevated terrace image © hiroyuki hirai

interior view image © hiroyuki hirai

image © hiroyuki hirai

terrace space with mosquito net in use image © hiroyuki hirai

kitchen image © hiroyuki hirai

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level +1

project info:

principal program: residence structure: wooden construction storeys: two above grade site area: 99.50 m2 building area: 52.17 m2 total floor area: 81.98 m2

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